Monday, December 7, 2015

The Photo Bin - November 2015

In a forum far, far away, a group of outdoor bloggers are discussing the state of the medium. The spur for this deliberation was the question "Is blogging dead?" and the discourse has been lively. No consensus has been reached, but it's generally agreed that, at the very least, blogging has a pretty bad cold. The issue is not necessarily quality, but quantity. With a few exceptions, the rate at which folks are posting is dropping precipitously. Nowhere is there a better example of that than right here. Lots of excuses could be made, but there is no really good explanation.

And it occurs to me that, this year at least, these Photo Bins have been the barely-trickling life blood of this place. Without it, there'd have been long periods of nothing. The Bin keeps my feet to the fire, if even just monthly. Ironic, considering that this was just a throw-away post when first stared. That, and the obvious fact that I'm no photographer. But then it could be argued that I'm no writer either, so let's just get on with it.

This month marked the first anniversary of the passing of a dear neighbor and friend. At that time, honoring her request, we committed her ashes to the river down the hill, a place that she loved. In commemoration of that day and to keep her memory fresh in our minds, we gathered this month once again at the waters. The image above is of a few of the flowers that were sent to catch up with her, downstream, to where we will all follow, someday.

I chuckled at the unintentional placement of this Halloween image of hell after the previous solemn afterlife reference, but decided to leave it this way as it might very well be my downstream destination.

One of my favorite holiday events is the Bynum Bridge Pumpkin Walk, held each All Saints Day. The old quarter-mile Highway 15 span, now used only for nice afternoon strolls, is lined, end-to-end, with pumpkins carved in every conceivable manner. From simple kids' punch-outs to intricate works of art, the creations are great fun and it's a wonderful night out under the trick-or-treat stars.

You already know that I have a new toy. Been wanting another electric for many years now, but knew myself well enough to want a good one. Seemed a frivolous idea, given that I haven't played with any real seriousness for forty years.

But Fender pushed me over the cliff with the release of this quirky new limited edition double-cut Telecaster. I've thought for some time now that the Tele was what I needed, but couldn't get around its blocky look. (Yes, I'm that shallow.) The double cutaway swayed me and the absolute clincher was the ash blonde finish. I'm a sucker for blondes and have been ever since Lindsay Rosebrock's sweet wheat-colored Mustang, way back in my junior high days. That and Honey West.

There's no having a November picture post without at least one Autumn image. We had a run of spectacular sunsets, here on the ridge, and watching the evening sun spotlight a single, stubborn oak was magical. Shot off our back deck, this just illustrates how nice it is living out here.

Finally, an image not from this month, but one from November a-year-past that I stumbled upon the other day when looking for something else. I really miss this little guy so broke the rules to include it here.

I hope that the imminent holidays are wonderful for you and yours and that the coming year arrives with promise and hope. And with any luck, these blogging sniffles will clear up and maybe things will liven up around here. Who knows, there might even be some fishing.

I've come to like the Bins too, Mel. Show an image. Write two sentences. Move on. Easy. A blogger's dream.

A really good thought, Cathy. I don't worry that the music will take away from the writing for, as you suggest, I think that they might actually enhance one another. Stimulating creativity, no matter the discipline, should lift all forms. Our best to you and Tom, too!

Thanks, BT! I don't know about "the finest", but they are fun to create and share. Cheers!

The good news, Kevin, is that with Rupert Murdoch's purchase of Nat Geo and subsequent firing of much of its award winning photography staff, my images will soon BE at their level, if not better. The bar has been lowered.

With the quality photographs that you take, I think you could get away with what you told Mel. Then I think we would all miss your writing. A friend of mine who doesn't blog or fly fish, that I introduced to your blog about a year ago, enjoys most of your writings. So, I know he might miss that aspect.

There's some really good stuff here, Mike, and I've enjoyed this post. Love the last picture of your dog. They sure know how to leave a lasting imprint long after they're gone.

Worth Your Time

The Flyfish Journal:Bahamacon 2017A fantastic week in images from South Andros with the TFFJ crew. Be sure to watch the video at the end, if for nothing more than the island music.

The true worth of fishing, as the experienced, sophisticated angler comes to realize, lies in the memorable contacts with people and other living creatures, scenes and places, and the living waters great and small which it provides.

Sparse Grey Hackle

My Favorite Posts

We all have our favorites. Here's a few of mine from over the years. Hope you enjoy(ed) them too.